AYUTTHAYA, 31 October 2011 – The flood level within Ayutthaya province is on the decline, prompting authorities to begin draining water out of the old city. The overall situation is expected to return to normal within one month’s time.
Improvements have been reported in the flood situation within Ayutthaya with decreases in flood levels of between 10-50 centimeters in Tha Ruea, Nakhon Luang, Bang Pahan, Ban Phraek and Maha Rat districts and between 1-5 centimeters in Bang Ban, Phak Hai, Phra Nakhon Si Ayutthaya, Bang Pa-in and Bang Sai.
Upon the declining water levels in the Chao Phraya and the Pa Sak Rivers, Ayutthaya Mayor Somsong Sappakosonlakul has instructed related officials to hastily siphon the floodwater out of the ancient city area of Ko Mueang. Ruptures on the flood barrier along Mahachai Canal have been blocked while nine large water pumping machines have been installed with a total capacity to discharge up to 1,000 cubic meters of water into the river per hour.
It is expected that roads will be reopened to traffic within the next ten days and normalcy will be restored in Ayutthaya within one month. Even though five industrial estates are still submerged, the authorities are waiting for the water to recede further before carrying out a recovery mission.
